Following Achilles tear, Jets waive Allen, sign Lyn

Defensive back Antonio Allen won't get to play out the final year of his rookie contract, as the 26-year-old was waived by the New York Jets Friday.

Allen suffered an Achilles injury in practice Thursday, and one day later it was confirmed, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini, that the versatile pass defender had indeed tore the tendon.

Allen has played both cornerback and safety in his three years with Gang Green, and he may be able to complete his contract with the Jets on Injured Reserve if he clears waivers.

In response to Allen's prognosis, the Jets signed Keon Lyn, who spent time with the Indianapolis Colts in 2014 after going undrafted.

READ MORE, via Kimberley Martin of Newsday

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Jets' Antonio Allen priming for cornerback debut

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Antonio Allen played linebacker the first two years of his college career before switching to safety. Now, two years into his pro career, it's about that time.

Allen has been informed that he'll get the nod at cornerback Sunday when the New York Jets host the Oakland Raiders for the season-opener.

The third-year defensive back has been a cornerback for just three weeks--two if you count the time he's sat out to a concussion he sustained two weeks ago.

Younger Jets safeties handling bulk of first-team reps

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Antonio Allen is young, and Calvin Pryor is even younger, so New York Jets coach Rex Ryan is making sure the pair of safeties gets in the appropriate workload during OTAs.

Ryan said the first-rounder Pryor, whom he expects to contribute "in a big way for us," worked with the first-team defense Wednesday. Ryan also opted to give the third-year centerfielder Allen the bulk of the starter reps alongside Pryor.

It wasn't a strike against nine-year pro Dawan Landry, but rather an opportunity to get the youngsters some much-needed action.

For Jets, Reed's off-field impact worth on-field woes

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Sometimes, the proof isn't in the pudding. Or something.

The New York Jets are apparently willing to sacrifice on-field production with supposed off-field development, as evidenced by their signing veteran safety Ed Reed three weeks ago and starting him early and often.

Reed's presence has left young safety Antonio Allen, who was actually having the best year of anyone in the Jets' porous secondary, with just a handful of snaps over the past few games.

Rex goes into detail about workings at safety

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Rex Ryan mixes defensive players like Walter White mixes chemicals.

Ryan is working with more than half a dozen new starters on defense yet is still leading a unit ranked second in the league in yards-per-game. The Jets have been exceptional up front, but the secondary has been in flux.

While Gang Green has been dealing with injuries at cornerback, Ryan has taken a more by-committee approach at safety by design.

"We feel good about our safety group. We’ll always do what we think is best, what the matchups are or whatever," Ryan told the media Thursday, via NewYorkJets.com. ". . . I think you teach the system and you kind of plug guys in. 'This week you’re going to be in base, you’re going to be in sub' or vice versa."

How Jets' safety competition is shaping up

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Dawan Landry was an instant starter the second the New York Jets signed the veteran safety and brother of former Jet LaRon Landry.

The other safety job, however, was expected to be between Josh Bush, Antonio Allen and Jaiquawn Jarrett. That competition is now down to two.

Jets coach Rex Ryan told reporters Monday that Bush is slotted as Landry's backup, leaving Allen and Jarrett to fight over the open gig. Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News tweeted that it "sounds like" Allen is leading the race.

Allen welcomes 'healthy competition' with Bush

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Veteran safety Dawan Landry will fill the void in the New York Jets' defensive backfield left by his brother, LaRon. But the other starting centerfield job is up for grabs.

2012 draft picks Antonio Allen and Josh Bush are sharing reps at safety during offseason activities as defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman and head coach Rex Ryan decide who will set up shop as the starter next to Landry.

Allen recently told Conor Orr of The Star-Ledger that Thurman hasn't officially declared war between the two, but the battle has obviously begun. (photo: Matt Britt, Flickr)